Dark Sky Maine is celebrating Dark Sky Week across the state this week, highlighting Maine’s extraordinary night-sky heritage and the growing movement to protect it for generations to come.

This year’s celebration carries particular significance. Maine is on the verge of implementing LD 1934, An Act to Promote Responsible Outdoor Lighting, a landmark law that establishes some of the nation’s most comprehensive statewide protections against light pollution. Beginning Oct. 1, 2026, new or replacement public outdoor lighting in Maine will be subject to requirements designed to reduce unnecessary light at night while maintaining appropriate lighting for safety and security.

For Dark Sky Maine, the law represents a major step forward in recognizing that darkness is a natural resource worth protecting.

“Dark skies are part of what makes Maine special,” said Nancy Hathaway, president and co-founder of Dark Sky Maine. “From the stars above our forests and lakes to the wildlife that depends on natural darkness, our night sky is part of Maine’s heritage. LD 1934 gives us an important foundation for protecting that heritage by showing that good lighting and dark skies go hand in hand.”

A milestone for Maine’s night skies

Maine became one of the first states in the nation to establish a statewide Dark Sky Week, with the second full week of May and the second full week of September officially designated for celebrating Maine’s dark skies and raising awareness about the effects of artificial light pollution. The September observance is particularly important for drawing attention to the effects of artificial light on wildlife and seasonal bird migration.

LD 1934 builds on that recognition by bringing responsible outdoor lighting into state policy. Among other provisions, the law establishes requirements for new and replacement public outdoor lighting, including measures to reduce excessive illumination and require lighting to be dimmed during nighttime hours. The principal requirements begin Oct. 1.

The significance extends beyond the technical requirements of the law.

Artificial light at night can disrupt wildlife behavior, migration and ecosystems, while excessive and poorly designed lighting can waste energy, create glare and light trespass, and diminish people’s ability to experience the night sky. Dark Sky Maine believes responsible lighting can provide the illumination people need while allowing Maine’s natural darkness to remain overhead.

To learn more about Dark Sky Maine, the Dark Sky Maine Ambassador Program, or how to bring dark-sky initiatives to your community, visit darkskymaine.org